Differing with Deference
Unity Insights | Posted on June 1, 2023 at 8:29 AM by Jeff Bennett
“Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father” – 1 Timothy 5:1 – Disrespecting respected people is divisive. When we demean those whom others esteem, we offend people who then defend their leader, often by attacking us. So how should we differ with notable figures without creating conflict? Jeremiah Burroughs offers [...]
The Art of Taking Responsibility
Unity Insights | Posted on May 11, 2023 at 8:19 AM by Jeff Bennett
Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? – Matthew 7:3 – When conflict enters our relationships, we can be tempted to blame everyone and everything else. The sins of others seem perfectly clear to us—the tone of their voices, the errors in [...]
The Master Plan of Reconciliation
Unity Insights | Posted on March 9, 2023 at 10:13 AM by Jeff Bennett
God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. – 2 Corinthians 5:19 – The work of reconciliation is not a small, peripheral aspect of God’s plan of salvation. Reconciliation is central to it. From the moment sin entered the world, [...]
Blessed Are the Peacemakers
Unity Insights | Posted on October 6, 2022 at 8:00 AM by Jeff Bennett
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. – Matthew 5:9 – The Lord Jesus Christ begins His Sermon on the Mount by outlining the anatomy of a truly blessed soul. He defines real spiritual health. He does not speak as the world speaks, because the blessedness He offers does not [...]
The Toll of Conflict
Unity Insights | Posted on September 8, 2022 at 8:21 AM by Jeff Bennett
But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another. – Galatians 5:15 NLT Conflict takes a heavy toll on our relationships and on our churches. Every careless sentence spoken for the sake of winning an argument disrupts our fellowship with one another. Harsh words are like piranha [...]
If Possible, Live at Peace with All People
Unity Insights | Posted on July 7, 2022 at 8:16 AM by Jeff Bennett
If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. (Romans 12:18) Some people like to fight. No matter what we do, they won’t live at peace with us. They hate our convictions. They are alienated by our love for God. They hate our gospel and our devotion to Jesus [...]
The Greatest Reconciliation
Lent Series | Posted on April 14, 2022 at 7:51 AM by Jeff Bennett
Though sin fractured and brought enmity into every good relationship in the universe, it pleased the Father to reconcile everything through the sacrificial death and resurrection of His Son. Though hostility existed in our relationship to God, Christ has “made peace through the blood of His cross” (Colossians 1:20 NASB). All who turn from their [...]
If Possible, Live at Peace with All People
Unity Insights | Posted on January 20, 2022 at 7:49 AM by Jeff Bennett
If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. (Romans 12:18) Some people like to fight. No matter what we do, they won’t live at peace with us. They hate our convictions. They are alienated by our love for God. They hate our gospel and our devotion to Jesus [...]
The Priority of Reconciliation
Unity Insights | Posted on October 14, 2021 at 7:09 AM by Jeff Bennett
If you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. – Matthew 5:23–24 – Religious people tend to believe that religious rituals are what [...]
Differing with Deference
Unity Insights | Posted on May 13, 2021 at 7:57 AM by Jeff Bennett
“Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father” – 1 Timothy 5:1 – Disrespecting respected people is divisive. When we demean those whom others esteem, we offend people who then defend their leader, often by attacking us. So how should we differ with notable figures without creating conflict? Jeremiah Burroughs offers [...]
What Does It Mean for Me to Be United in Christ?
Learn about Be United in Christ | Posted on May 6, 2021 at 7:14 AM by Jeff Bennett
The Be United in Christ Outreach Ministry exists to teach and promote Christian unity. There are many ways to learn more about us, but one that often gets overlooked is our FAQ section. We've answered over 90 questions on a variety of topics. Here are just a couple: What does it mean for me to be united [...]
The Art of Taking Responsibility
Unity Insights | Posted on April 22, 2021 at 7:10 AM by Jeff Bennett
Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? – Matthew 7:3 – When conflict enters our relationships, we can be tempted to blame everyone and everything else. The sins of others seem perfectly clear to us—the tone of their voices, the errors in [...]
The Master Plan of Reconciliation
Unity Insights | Posted on February 11, 2021 at 7:22 AM by Jeff Bennett
God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. – 2 Corinthians 5:19 – The work of reconciliation is not a small, peripheral aspect of God’s plan of salvation. Reconciliation is central to it. From the moment sin entered the world, [...]
Sharing Without Dividing
Unity Insights | Posted on November 19, 2020 at 8:43 AM by Jeff Bennett
Avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. – 2 Timothy 2:23 – Beliefs about God are personal but not private. Christians are to share what we believe with nonbelievers and to talk about our faith with other believers. Yet talking about religion is notoriously divisive, so how do we share our convictions [...]
Blessed Are the Peacemakers
Unity Insights | Posted on September 10, 2020 at 12:22 PM by Andrew Mackay
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. – Matthew 5:9 – The Lord Jesus Christ begins His Sermon on the Mount by outlining the anatomy of a truly blessed soul. He defines real spiritual health. He does not speak as the world speaks, because the blessedness He offers does not [...]
The Toll of Conflict
Unity Insights | Posted on August 13, 2020 at 10:59 AM by Andrew Mackay
But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another. – Galatians 5:15 NLT Conflict takes a heavy toll on our relationships and on our churches. Every careless sentence spoken for the sake of winning an argument disrupts our fellowship with one another. Harsh words are like piranha [...]
The Patience of the Lord Reconciles Us
Unity Insights | Posted on July 2, 2020 at 8:43 AM by Andrew Mackay
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9 NKJV) Let us be constantly thankful to the Lord for His marvelous patience toward us. If He was quick-tempered or unwilling to [...]
